abrade

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   to scrape, rub, or wear away the surface of something by friction

   Wind-driven sand can abrade exposed rock over many years.

2. 2
   verb

   to become worn or damaged through rubbing

   The protective coating began to abrade where the cable touched the frame.

From Latin abradere, 'to scrape away,' formed from ab-, 'away,' + radere, 'to scrape.' The same Latin base underlies abrasion and razor.

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